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Girl Scouts of the USA to Host G.I.R.L. 2017—a Global Gathering for Every Girl
The girl-led event will draw influential talent, address important issues, and welcome 10,000 girls and women
NEW YORK, NY (March 23, 2017)—Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced today that it will host the largest girl-led event in the world, G.I.R.L. 2017, October 6–8 in Columbus, Ohio. More than 10,000 girls and women will attend the three-day event, together with female leaders and influencers, to create a meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experience for girls.
In line with the theme “Experience the Power of a G.I.R.L.,” the event will provide every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ with opportunities to celebrate achievements, build on aspirations, get inspired, and gain the tools she needs to empower herself and create change in her community―whether it be local or global. All girls who seek to make the world a better place are invited―along with their families and friends―to attend, because G.I.R.L. 2017 is not just an event for Girl Scouts, but for every G.I.R.L. and all those who support them. Twenty-one Girl Scouts selected the topics that will be featured at the event, based on input from Girl Scout–led focus groups on what’s important to girls today.
The event will offer an exciting, packed agenda that includes keynote speakers, live entertainment, breakout sessions, daily celebrations, and G.I.R.L.-centric presentations. Karen Kasich, first lady of Ohio and the first honorary president of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, will raise awareness of the opportunities that Girl Scouts offers by welcoming attendees at the opening ceremony.
At the heart of G.I.R.L. 2017 is the Hall of Experiences, where girls of all ages participate in hands-on activities to explore a variety of life skills. In addition, attendees can participate in unique networking and educational experiences that focus on the Girl Scout pillars of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); entrepreneurship; life skills; and outdoors.
“G.I.R.L. 2017 will bring girls face-to-face with inspirational examples of women who are transforming the world,” said GSUSA interim CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “With a vibrant offering of seminars and interactive activities, our goal is for attendees to fully embrace the courage, confidence, and character residing within. And our efforts would not be possible without the support and contributions of our generous sponsors. This includes AT&T, which has championed numerous Girl Scout initiatives over many years, and Toyota Financial Services, a long-standing advocate for the empowerment of young women. Through this collaboration, we all share one guiding vision―to persistently support and empower the future generation of formidable women leaders.”
AT&T, which started supporting Girl Scouts as far back as 1987, is a G.I.R.L. 2017 platinum sponsor. Its contribution has made possible such Girl Scout initiatives as Imagine Your STEM Future, which helped underserved girls see the possibility of a career for themselves in the fast-growing STEM fields.
“GSUSA is dedicated to helping girls and our youth realize their fullest potential,” said Anne Chow, president of Integrator Solutions, AT&T. “I’m excited to support this year’s event, G.I.R.L. 2017, to help further the investment in, and development of, our next generation of leaders. AT&T’s longtime support of Girl Scouting is based on the shared belief in the power of education, and this year, in the power of G.I.R.L. We’re committed to building a better tomorrow for all girls and contributing to the enduring effect of working together with GSUSA to create tomorrow’s female leaders today.”
Toyota Financial Services President and CEO Mike Groff added, “Toyota is a believer in empowering young women by helping provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to achieve their goals in life. G.I.R.L. 2017 is a unique opportunity for girls to meet, learn from one another, have fun together, and participate in experiences that will enrich their lives and drive them toward success.”
In addition to AT&T and Toyota Financial Services, G.I.R.L. 2017 sponsors include Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (silver sponsor); American Electric Power Service Corporation (silver sponsor); PayPal, Inc.; Visit Orlando; Hogan Lovells US LLP; and ABC Bakers.
Early registration for this amazing event is now open. Girls, and those from across the globe who support them, are invited to register and unleash their inner G.I.R.L.s!
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We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.7 million strong—1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Girl Scouts' founder Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low, who believed in the power of every girl. She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, and every year since, we've made her vision a reality, helping girls discover their strengths, passions, and talents. Today we continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.
